Only Brett is outslugging him and holy **** Boggs OBP is sexy. Notice no other 2B.

I met Boggs a few years ago and he was one of the coolest dudes ever.

Building off Spaeder's list.

2B Only thru age 33



Altuve is not quite Joe Morgan, but he might be Rod Carew.

Rod Carew's age 34-39 season Avg
.314 BA
.388 OBP
.392 SLG
.780 OPS
120 wRC+

Maybe not the BA, but Altuve makes it up with SLG. No reason he can't finish his career similarly. Carew got 90.5% of the votes on the first ballot.

We are saddened to hear of the passing of former Astros Manager Jimy Williams. Jimy spent three (2002-2004) of his 12 MLB seasons as the Astros Manager. We send our heartfelt condolences to Jimy’s family and friends. pic.twitter.com/ihP51rXuKu

— Houston Astros (@astros) January 29, 2024

Seven Astros starters within Eno's Top 150. https://t.co/fRcgaVGHMu

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) January 29, 2024

EastCoastAgNc said:

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Seven Astros starters within Eno's Top 150. https://t.co/fRcgaVGHMu

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) January 29, 2024

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That would seem pretty good as it means we have 7 pitchers who would be in the 5 man rotation of an average MLB time

Here is their ranking

17. Framber - 112 Stuff+, 4.07 ppERA
23. Verlander - 120 Stuff+, 3.95 ppERA
59. Brown - 101 Stuff+, 4.22 ppERA
79. Javier - 99 Stuff+, 4.5 ppERA
124. Urqudy - 106 Stuff+, 4.95 ppERA
133. McCullers - #N/A, #N/A --- ummm... why even rank him?
143. France - 98 Stuff+, 4.93 ppERA

For you guys that don't have a sub to the Atlantic they're essentially saying:

#1- Framber (17) Verlander (23)
#2- Hunter Brown (59)
#3- Javier (79)
#4- None
#5- Urquidy (124), McCullers (133), France (142)

SpaceCityAg05 said:

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The list also verifies why the Mariners, not the Rangers, are the scary team in the division mocing forward.

They have an obscene amount of high-end, controllable pitching for years to come.

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I still don't think much of their offense. They should have gone out and gotten Hoskins, Soler, and/or Chapman then all of a sudden their offense is top 10, not bottom 10.

I agree in the immediate sense. I just think they have long staying power and have shown a willingness to spend or bid on big free agents. If they get a Rangers-like spending itch on bats, they have the cheap, quality pitching to get good in a hurry, unlike the Rangers that have to depend on massive overspending to acquire and keep pitching.

Speaking of the Rangers, if they don't resign Montgomery, I cannot see them making the playoffs next year with that staff.

SpaceCityAg05 said:

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I agree in the immediate sense. I just think they have long staying power and have shown a willingness to spend or bid on big free agents. If they get a Rangers-like spending itch on bats, they have the cheap, quality pitching to get good in a hurry, unlike the Rangers that have to depend on massive overspending to acquire and keep pitching.

Speaking of the Rangers, if they don't resign Montgomery, I cannot see them making the playoffs next year with that staff.

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Agree and Agree

Seattle could be dangerous if they go all in. They aren't willing to and I am good with that.

The Rangers are going to have to hit, hit, and hit some more. They have a weak rotation & bullpen. None of their pitching has developed.

Look at the Rangers starters from the Eno projctions.
57. Eovaldi
71. Gray
82. Scherzer (not projected back until June/July)
97. Heaney
131. Dunning

They don't even have 5 healthy top-150 starters.

The Mariners have Jerry Dipoto (Mr 54% himself) working against them on a daily basis. That dude will trade literally anyone just for the hell of it.

What is the expectation for McCullers? When is he anticipated to return?

The Astros signed Joel Kuhnel and pitcher Drew Strotman to minor-league deals with invitations to major-league spring training. Kuhnel returns after being DFA'd by Houston earlier this month. Strotman spent last year at Triple-A in the Giants' system.

— Matt Kawahara (@matthewkawahara) January 29, 2024

Can confirm that the Angels have signed OF Aaron Hicks. @JeffFletcherOCR first reported.

This changes the dynamic of the Angels’ outfield. The four spots seemingly belonged to Trout, Ward, Moniak and Adell.

Now, the OF has more depth. But also some decisions this spring.

— Sam Blum (@SamBlum3) January 29, 2024

Jimmy Williams passed away at 80

We have Joe-El Coon-El back? Woo hoo!

Wait. Nevermind.

GoodBullShark said:

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What is the expectation for McCullers? When is he anticipated to return?

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This is one of life's greatest mysteries. Does anyone ever really know?

Here are the Astros minor league coaching staffs. Note that former big leaguers Jay Bruce and John Valentin are minor league special advisors. Valentin was college teammates with Dana Brown and Craig Biggio pic.twitter.com/l6VvD9AWwh

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) January 29, 2024

Mr.Bond said:

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Jimmy Williams passed away at 80

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Passed away at manager's discretion. RIP Jimy

GoodBullShark said:

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What is the expectation for McCullers? When is he anticipated to return?

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Dana and McCullers have both mentioned July / late summer. He's been throwing on flat ground for some time now. Last update (last week) had him at 80'.

Tarik Skubal had a similar surgery (flexor tendon, no bone spur) Aug 17th, 2022. He pitched again July 4th, 2023. If McCullers had that kind of turnaround he would be pitching in early May. Based on what has been said, that doesn't seem realistic.

Well, my father in law just gifted me a $5.99 used book of baseball brain teasers from 1991 for my birthday, so the sky is the limit for my baseball knowledge in 2024!

Lance laid it out pretty clearly.

Will need about 4 rehab starts. Can't pinpoint exactly until those happen. Everything going well. Throwing multiple times a week at 80'. Would love to be back by the ASB but if not late July/early Aug is extremely doable. Will set dates to get back on the mound once ST starts.

McCullers says he’s throwing from 80 feet and his rehab is going well. He’s eyeing a July return. pic.twitter.com/jJwkIHfWBL

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) January 20, 2024

It's also worth noting that former #Astros infielder Taylor Jones is a hitting coach for the FCL Astros this year. Jones last played professional baseball last season for Triple-A Salt Lake.

— Kenny Van Doren (@thevandalorian) January 29, 2024

How many of these were seasons without any injury? I think even his all star season he missed a month.

2020 and 2021 are the only ones I think but then he still got hurt in the ALDS